meadowview/ highlands water system -...

CecilCountyDepartmentofPublicWorksWaterandWastewaterDivisionP.O.Box370Charlestown,MD21914

Annual DrinkingWater Quality Report

Annual Drinking WaterQuality Report

Meadowview/HighlandsWater SystemCalendar Year 2011

June 2012

Calendar Year 2011

Cecil CountyDepartment of Public WorksPWSID: 0070015

This isCecil County’s

annual report onwater quality in

accordance with the1996 Safe Drinking-

Water Act. The datain this report are the

result of drinking waterquality testingperformed for

you in 2011.


Meadowview/HighlandsWater System

2011 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report

What is this Water Quality Report About?

2

We’re pleased to present to you this year’s Annual Drink-ing Water Quality Report. This report is to inform youabout the fi ne quality water and services Cecil County

provides to you every day and provides an overview of last year’s(2011) drinking water quality. Under the “Consumer Confi -dence Reporting Rule” of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act(SDWA), community water systems are required to report thiswater quality information to the consuming public. Presented inthis report is information regarding the source of our water, itsconstituents and health risks associated with any contaminantsdetected in quantities exceeding a drinking water regulatory maxi-mum contaminant level (MCL), action level (AL), or treatment techniques (TT).

On December 21st, 2011 the Meadowview/Highlands Water System was sold toArtesian Water Company. Any questions, concerns or comments concerning theMeadowview/Highlands Water System should be directed to Artesian WaterCompany at their customer service number 443-245-7777 or their toll free number1-800-332-5114 or emailed to [email protected]. This Annual Water QualityReport was prepared by and distributed by Cecil County Water and Wastewater Divisionas we were the owner of the Meadowview/Highlands Water System for the majority ofthe 2011 calendar year. Any questions concerning this water quality report should bedirected to Cecil County Water and Wastewater Division at 410-996-6260 or emailed [email protected]. Future Annual Water Quality Reports for this water system will beprepared by and distributed by Artesian Water Company.

Spanish (Espanol)

Este informe contiene informacion muy importante sobre la calidad desu agua beber. Traduscalo o hable con alguien que lo entienda bien.

How We Test and Monitor Our Drinking WaterCecil County Department of Public Works analyzes the waterfor more than 80 contaminants and of the few contaminantsthat were found, all contaminants were below the EPA’sMCLs with the exception of nitrates. The MCLs were es-tablished by the U.S. Congress in the SDWA of 1974 and its

revisions in 1986 and 1996. Testing is performed by Cecil County on a daily basis at thetreatment plant and the County performs additional testing to the water that is distrib-uted throughout the System.

During 2011, all contaminants were detected at levels below health standards with theexception of nitrates. The elevated levels were immediately reported to MDE

These standards and other drinking water regulations are constantly reviewed by the EPAand, if needed, revised to refl ect the latest medical research. In our State, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) enforces and oversees these standards andregulations.

The County continues to make improvements to your water system to ensure the qualityof water is at its highest. We want you to understand the efforts we make to continuallyimprove the water treatment process and we are committed to ensuring the highest qual-ity of your water.

Inside this AnnualIssue . . .

How is Your WaterTreated and What is theSource of Meadowview/Highlands DrinkingWater?The drinking water for the Meadowview/High-lands System is drawn from two wells, Sycamoreand Fletchwood, which are drilled deep belowthe earth’s surface into the underground aquiferknown as the Patuxent Formation. The water istreated with sodium hypochlorite as a precau-tionary disinfection agent prior to entering thewater system as well as soda ash for pH control.

In addition, the County purchases waterfrom United Water Delaware, which operatesa surface-water treatment plant in Stanton,Delaware. The Stanton Water Treatment Plantdrains source water from the White and RedClay Creek, and its primary disinfection processis sodium hypochlorite and chlorine. A com-plete copy of the 2011 Water Quality Reportfrom United Water Delaware can be obtainedat http://www.unitedwater.com/upload-edFiles/Localized_Content/UW_Dela-ware/20/CCR-UWDE-UWBE_2008.pdf


What is this Water QualityReport About?............................................ 2

Spanish (Espanol)...................................... 2

How We Test and Monitor OurDrinking Water .......................................... 2

How is Your Water Treated andWhat is the Source of Meadowview/Highlands Drinking Water?...................... 2

Why There May Be Contaminantsin our Water Supply ................................... 3

Health Note for “At Risk”Consumers ................................................. 3

Is There Lead in my Water?...................... 3

Meadowview/Highlands WaterQuality Statistics and Data Results .......... 4

What is in my Water? ................................. 4

Understanding the DrinkingWater Quality Terms.................................. 5

Source Water Assessment andProtection................................................... 5

Frequently Asked Questions by ourConsumers ................................................. 6

Protecting Your DrinkingWater Supply! ............................................. 7

Where Can I Find Out MoreInformation on my Water? ........................ 7

Why There May Be Contaminants in our Water Supply

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include riv-ers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over thesurface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring mineralsand radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence ofanimal or human activity.

Contaminants that may be present in the source waters include:

(i) Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come fromsewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, andwildlife.

(ii) Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally oc-curring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic waste-water discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.

(iii) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from avariety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwaterrunoff, and residential uses.

(iv) Organic chemical contaminants, including syntheticand volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products ofindustrial processes and petroleum production, and canalso come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff,and septic systems.

(v) Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturallyoccurring or be the result of oil and gas production andmining activities.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations whichlimit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water sys-tems. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminantsin bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.

Consumers should be aware that drinking water, including bottled water, may rea-sonably be expected to contain at least trace amounts of some contaminants. Thepresence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health

risk. More information about contaminants and po-tential health effects can be obtained by calling theEnvironmental Protection Agency’sSafe Drinking Water Hotline(800-426-4791).

Health Note for“At Risk” ConsumersSome people may be more vulnerableto contaminants in drinking water thanthe general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as personswith cancer undergoing chemotherapy,persons who have undergone organtransplants, people with HIV/AIDSor other immune system disorders,some elderly, and infants can be par-ticularly at risk from infections. Thesepeople should seek advice about theirdrinking water from their health careproviders. The EPA/Centers forDisease Control (CDC) guidelineson appropriate means to lessen therisk of infection by Cryptosporidiumand other microbial contaminants areavailable from theSafe Drinking Water Hotline(800-426-4791).

Is There Lead in MyWater?If present, elevated levels of lead cancause serious health problems, espe-cially for pregnant women and youngchildren. Lead in drinking water is pri-marily from materials and componentsassociated with service lines and homeplumbing. Cecil County is responsiblefor providing high quality drinkingwater, but cannot control the varietyof materials used in plumbing com-ponents. When your water has beensitting for several hours, you can mini-mize the potential for lead exposureby fl ushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes or until it becomes cold orreaches a steady temperature beforeusing water for drinking or cooking.If you are concerned about lead inyour water, you may wish to have yourwater tested. Information on leadin drinking water, testing methods,and steps you can take to minimizeexposure is available from the SafeDrinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

3

Meadowview/Highlands Water System



2011 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report44 5

Meadowview/Highlands Water Quality Statistics and Data ResultsThe table below lists all of the drinking water contaminants that we detected in the drinking water distribution system during calen-dar year 2011 or, in some cases, during the most recent sampling period. This table lists only those contaminants that had some levelof detection. We routinely monitor for a number of contaminants in the water supply to meet regulatory drinking water compliancerequirements. The presence of contaminants in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. The EPA orthe State requires us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants donot change frequently. In these cases, the most recent sample data are included along with the year in which the sample was taken.

Source WaterAssessment andProtection

The Maryland Department ofthe Environment (MDE) con-ducted and completed a sourcewater assessment for commu-nity water systems, includingyours, several years ago.

Components of the assess-ment included (1) delineationof areas that contribute toeach water source, (2) identifi -cation of potential sources ofcontamination within the areas,and (3) determination of thesusceptibility at each watersupply to contamination.

In general, contamination ofwater supplies can come fromseveral natural and man-madesources. As water travelsover the surface of the land itdissolves naturally occurringminerals, and, in some cases,radioactive material, and canpick up substances resultingfrom the presence of animalor human activity.

Copies of this assessmentmay be obtained by contact-ing the Water Supply Programat MDE located at 1800Washington Blvd., Baltimore,Maryland 21230, (410) 537-3702. For more informationon the Maryland Source WaterProtection Program see www.mde.state.md.us/Programs/WaterPrograms/Water_Sup-ply/sourcewaterassessment.

Understanding the Drinking Water Quality Terms

In the water quality tables and throughout this report you may fi nd terms and acronyms you might not be familiar with. The following defi nitions are provided to help you better understand these terms:

AL (Action Level): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded,triggers treatment or other requirement, which a water system must follow.

DBP (Disinfection By-Products): Total Tribolomethanes (TTHMs) and Halo-acetic Acids (HAASs) are compounds that can be formed when drinking water isdisinfected with chlorine, thus a by-product is created.

EPA (The United States Environmental Protection Agency): The Federal agen-cy created in 1970 that implements major environmental legislation. EPA’s Offi ce of Drinking Water oversees federal drinking water regulations and standards.

MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): The highest level of a contaminant that isallowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to MCLGs as feasible using thebest available treatment technology. Contaminants in drinking water, if detected,must be present in levels below the MCLs in order for the system to be in compli-ance with all applicable regulations.

MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal): The level of a contaminant indrinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGsallow for a margin of safety, over and above the MCL.

MRDL (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level): Disinfectant level beyondwhich some people may experience irritating effects. Based on running annualaverage of monthly averages of distribution system samples computed quarterly.

ND (Non-detect): laboratory analyses indicate that the contaminant is notpresent, when using the EPA regulated methods and equipment.

Ninetieth percentile (for lead and copper only) (90th%): Ninety percent ofthe homes where tap water was tested are at or below this level.

NRL: (No regulatory limit)

NTU: (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit): Unit of measure for clarity of water.

pCi/L: (Picocuries per liter): A measure of radioactivity (radiation) in water.

ppb: (Parts per billion) or micrograms per liter (ug/L), Corresponds to onepenny in $10,000,000 or one minute in 2,000 years.

ppm: (Parts per million) or milligrams per liter (mg/L), Corresponds to onepenny in $10,000 or one minute in two years.

SDWA (Safe Drinking Water Act): The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 andits 1986 Amendments are the laws enacted by Congress authorizing the EPAto establish national drinking water regulations.

SMCL (Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level): Non-enforceable guidelinewhich is not directly related to public health, commonly associated with cosmeticor aesthetics within the water.

Total Coliform: A type of bacteriological test routinely used to determine if con-tamination has occurred in the drinking water system.

TT (Treatment Technique): A required process intended to reduce the level of acontaminant in drinking water.

What is in my Water?Contaminants Detected in Meadowview/Highlands Drinking Water

Substances We Detected UnitWhat’s

Allowed(MCL)

What’sthe

Goal(MCGL)

DetectedLevel

RangeDetected

Typical Source of ContaminantDid WeExceed

the Limit

Disinfection By-Products

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) ppb 801 N/A 53.5 13.6 – 53.5 By-product of drinking water chlorination NO

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) ppb 601 N/A 85 24.3 - 85 By-product of drinking water chlorination NO

Lead and Copper Rule

Copper2 ppm 1.3 1.3 0.12 N/A Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits NO

Lead ppm 0.015 0 0.003 N/A Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits. NO

Inorganic Contaminants

Barium ppm 2 2 0.14 0.071 – 0.14 Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refi neries; erosion of natural deposits

NO

Nitrate3 ppm 10 10 10.4 6.5 – 10.4 Runoff from fertilizers; leaching from septic tanks; sewage YES

Sodium4 ppm N/A N/A 93 44 - 93 Erosion of natural deposits NO

Volatile Organic Contaminants

Chloroform ppb N/A 70 1.9 0.6 – 1.9 By-product of drinking water chlorination NO

Synthetic Organic Contaminants

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate5 ppb 6 0 5.6 5.6 Discharge from rubber and chemical factories NO

Di(ethylhexyl) adipate ppb 400 400 1.5 1.5 Discharge from chemical factories NO

Radioactive Contaminants

Gross alpha pCi/L 15 0 6.3 4 – 6.3 Erosion of natural deposits NO

Gross beta6 pCi/L 50 0 4.5 4 - 4.5 Decay of natural and man-made deposits NO

Radium 226 pCi/L 5 0 2 1.7 - 2 Erosion of natural deposits NO

Radium 228 pCi/L 5 0 1.5 1.5 Erosion of natural deposits NO

Combined radium pCi/L 5 0 3.5 3.5 Erosion of natural deposits NO

1 1Compliance with the MCL for Disinfection By-Products (DBPs) is determined by a running annual average for all sites sampled. Exceedance of the MCL during a monitoring period does notindicate the system was in violation of the MCL.

2 You can minimize your exposure to lead and copper by fl ushing you tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using and not consuming hot water from the tap. Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively short amount of time could experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water contain-ing copper in excess of the action level over many years could suffer kidney or liver damage. People with Wilson’s Disease should consult their personal doctor.

3 Nitrates in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a health risk for infants of less than six (6) months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue-baby syndrome. Nitrate levelsmay rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. If you are caring for an infant, you should consult with your health care provider.

4 Results are from the 2009 monitoring year, which is the most recent sampling completed in accordance with the MDE by EPA regulations.

5 Results are from the 2006/2007 monitoring years, which is the most recent sampling completed in accordance with the MDE by EPA regulations.

6 The MCL for Beta particles is written as 4 mrem/year. The EPA consideres 50 pCi/L to be the level of concern for Beta particles.

2011 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report6

Frequently Asked Questions by Our Consumers

Q. Who makes the rules and regulations for drinking water?

A. Regulations are made by both federal and state agencies. The Safe Drinking

Water Act (SDWA) was passed by Congress in 1974 and amended in 1986

and 1996. It is governed by the United States Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA). The website for these standards is http://www.epa.gov/safe-

water/standards.html. In addition to the SDWA, the EPA has promulgated

several specifi c rules, including the Total Coliform Rule and the Lead and

Copper Rule, to address various types of water contaminant problems.

Q. Do energy and water effi cient laundry machines really work?

A. Yes! Newer models use 40% less water and can save you up to 6,000

gallons per year.

Q. Is it safe to drink water from my garden hose?

A. No. Substances used in vinyl garden hoses to keep them fl exible can get

into the water as it passes through the hose, which are not good for you or

your pets. Check with your local hardware store to fi nd the hoses made with

“food-grade” plastic.

Q. Is it okay to use water from the hot-water tap for drinking,cooking, or making baby formula?

A. No, it is not recommended to use water from the hot-water tap due to

potential impurities that may exist. Hot water generally comes from a hot

water heater that may contain impurities that should not be ingested. Some

of these impurities might be metals from household plumbing that are

concentrated in the water heating process.

Q. What is “Hard” Water?

A. Hardness in drinking water is

caused by minerals including

calcium and magnesium. Typi-

cally when each of these min-

erals are present in elevated

volumes, the water is said to be

hard because making a lather or

suds is “hard”.


The Cecil County Department

of Public Works Water and

Wastewater Division strive to

provide our customers with

a safe, uninterrupted water

supply. We hope that all of

our customers recognize the

need to protect our most pre-

cious resource, our commu-

nity water supply.

Protecting Your Drinking WaterSupply!

Ongoing System Improvements

The Cecil County Department of Public Works Water andWastewater Division is continually upgrading its treatmentand distribution systems to improve water quality. It is ourgoal to provide our customers with a safe and reliablesource of water which continues to meet state and fed-eral quality requirements.

Everyone Can Help Conserve Water!

To help you and your family, here are a num-ber of ways that you can conserve water bothinside and outside your home. You can reduceyour water use by 20-70 percent by installing morewater-effi cient fi xtures in your home! Leaking and dripping faucets can waste 15-20 gallons a day, whichcan add up to 6,000 gallons per year. Use water wisely!

Additional water conservation information can be found at www.epa.gov/safewater/publicoutreach/index.html or www.mde.state.md.us/programs/waterprograms/water_conservation/.

S Check faucets and leaky toilets and do not use the toilet for trash disposal;S Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and take shorter showers;S Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full;S Repair or replace leaking hoses and sprinklers.

Help Us Out!

Your drinking water system may be a target for people intent on disrupting andcausing harm to your community water supply.

Because utilities are often located in isolated areas, your drinking water systemmay cover large areas that are diffi cult to secure and patrol. Residents can help by monitoring and reporting any suspicious activity in and around their waterutility. Report any suspicious activity or vandalism immediately to 911.

Examples of suspicious activity might include the following:

S People dumping or discharging material into a reservoir, river, or stream;S An unidentifi ed vehicle parked near water supply facilities;S Suspicious opening or tampering with manhole covers, buildings,

hydrants,or equipment;S People climbing on top of water tanks;S People photographing or videotaping utility facilities, structures

or equipment;S Unidentifi ed people loitering around locked gates, doors,

or entrances to water supply facilities;S People other than fi re companies and water utility

staff connected to hydrants.

This newsletter is printed on recycled paper


Where Can I

Find Out More

Information on

My Water?

If you do not understand

what was presented to

you in this report, or

if you need additional

information about your

drinking water contact

ArtesianWater at

(443) 245-7777, toll free

at 1 (800) 332-5114 or

email at custserv@

artesianwater.com.

More informa-

tion about

contaminants

and potential

health effects can

be obtained by

calling the EPA’s

Safe Drinking Water

Hotline (800-426-4791)

or on EPA’s web site at

http://www.epa.gov/

safewater/index.html.

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